photo: creative commons
We know you have nothing more to do all summer than lounge around the kiddie pool with your painted toenails dipped in hose-generated paradise. Martinis on ice, chilled kool-aid in an over-sized pitcher for the kiddos and endless blocks of stress free summer fun are marked on your calendar. Hold that thought. Here’s the typical multi-tasker’s REALITY CHECK – Inlu‘s gotta say it: the following are likely to cloud up the summer-of-fun fantasy.
KIDS BIRTHDAY PARTIES…lots of em. I’d say pencil in at least 4 or 5 emergency runs to the mall during it’s-so-muggy-I’d-rather-be-at-the-beach-weather- for a who-knows-what kind of gift that kids from preschool really wants (or doesn’t already have!). Top it off with $5 in gift wrap, a mylar balloon & the $2 card. Hmmm…there goes another $30 (x5 = $150!).
COACH GIFT COORDINATION- School’s out but that doesn’t mean the die-hard leagues are anywhere near slowing down. Start brainstorming gift ideas now. Oh, and summer leagues are pretty spread out. Prepare to hunt down gift contribution cash from families in four counties.
SPORTS TRAVEL- On top of the coach gift thingy, the kids are gonna have to sell shtuff in order to make it to that playoff tournament in some far off arbitrary town you’ll likely never visit again. Let’s just say, if you’ve NEVER had to coordinate or raise funds to cover the cost of a soccer bus you are a lucky duck.
WEDDINGS (people you “kinda” know) — Now, which registry are they? Crap, factor in a few undercover telephone calls to random family members to get the scoop on what the lovebirds really want…no sweat.
BABY SHOWER- Your girlfriends are on baby #2, #3 even the oopsies, #4 (kidding!). Well, why not go out and get her something else to add to her cluttered pile? Afterall, you really have nothing better to do, right? (Don’t you think she really just wants a bottle of expensive champagne and a massage for when the baby arrives? Seriously!)
ADULT PARTY- Ok, well, yeah, it’s probably a bit misleading—not that kind of adult party…just a random night out with people over the age of 18—your friends…Remember them?…If not, well, it’s time to get out. Just remember, you’ll spend a lot of time coordinating a time, place and activity—cab ride home and possibly a whole mess of logistics…but it’ll be fun once you get out on the town!
RELATIVE BIRTHDAY! – Ring, ring…”Yes, we’re coming to the BBQ on Sunday, what should we bring? Snacks and a little something – He likes baseball? Just a few appetizers? How many people? Oh ok, thanks!” (hmmmm…)
MOVING FAREWELL PARTY -With every moving neighbor comes the fantasy farewell BBQ—sometimes, it’s a good riddance celebration. Either way, it almost always includes gifts and thingies—just what people who just threw out all their swag want, right?
HOUSEWARMING- For the new couple to now who will now LIVE in the empty house. Brace for the email queu of the check roundup for the welcome gift.
Right, back to that kiddie pool.
FUNDRAISER– Whoa, so-and-so needs to do an emergency fundraiser? Ok, on it. Right.
Ok, phew…where were we?
Oh SNAP! You get it– USE INLU! You can round up funds for anything and have it sent to anyone you’d like– to cover a gift, buy a gift certificate, donate as a group to charity, whatever. Inlu is the MULTI-TASKING MOMMY’s HELPER.
